How can hand ageing be prevented?

The skin on the hands is particularly vulnerable to cutaneous ageing due to its structure and its constant exposure to external stressors.

Relatively thin and poor in sebaceous glands, the organs responsible for sebum synthesis, the hydrolipidic film on the skin of the hands is fragile and does not always protect them effectively against dehydration. In addition, over time, there is a reduction in collagen synthesis, a thinning of the cutaneous tissue and a loss of volume, making the veins and tendons more visible and contributing to the wrinkled and pronounced appearance of the hands.

To this is added repeated exposure to UV radiation, the main factor in extrinsic ageing. Indeed, UV rays induce significant oxidative stress in the skin, by degrading collagen and elastin fibres and disrupting the process of melanogenesis, which leads to the formation of pigment spots. Frequent washing, exposure to wind, cold and rain, and contact with irritating agents also increase transepidermal water loss and weaken the stratum corneum.

Preserving the youthfulness of the hands relies on a comprehensive approach that combines skin hydration with antioxidant and UV-protective care.

Although skin ageing of the hands is inevitable, certain habits can nevertheless help to slow it down. First of all, the regular application of a moisturising cream is a key cornerstone. Formulations combining humectants, such as glycerol (glycerine), emollients, such as ceramides, and film-forming agents, including butters and waxes, help to maintain the proper functioning of the skin barrier and to limit transepidermal water loss. By strengthening the cohesion of the stratum corneum, these products help to maintain skin suppleness and to prevent the appearance of wrinkles, particularly in an area as overexposed and prone to dryness as the hands.

The integration of antioxidants into the skincare routine is also relevant for combating oxidative stress, particularly that induced by UV radiation.

Vitamin C, for example, acts by neutralising free radicals, but also by stimulating collagen synthesis and helping to regulate melanin production. A clinical study compared, over a period of 12 to 26 weeks, the effectiveness of a vitamin C-based serum (15%) with that of a topical platelet extract (HPE), both applied twice daily to the backs of the hands. The results showed a significant improvement in several parameters of skin ageing, notably a reduction in pigment spots and wrinkles, as well as an improvement in skin radiance. These effects were maintained for up to six months, highlighting the value of antioxidant skincare in the prevention and correction of visible signs of ageing.

Mechanical protection, often underestimated, also plays a key role. The wearing of gloves during household tasks or in situations of prolonged exposure to cold helps to limit contact with irritating agents and to preserve the integrity of the skin barrier. This simple habit reduces dehydration and chronic inflammation, both of which accelerate ageing of the hands. Lastly, photoprotection remains essential. The daily application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen to the hands helps prevent UV-induced damage, the main cause of extrinsic ageing.

• DAHMANE R. & al. Skin photoaging and the role of antioxidants in its prevention. ISRN Dermatology (2013).

• MARUYAMA S. & al. Hand rejuvenation using standard intense ulsed light (IPL) in Asian patients. Laser Therapy (2016).

• GOTZ V. & al. Topical treatment of aging hands: Brief report. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (2017).

• WU W. & al. A randomized study showing improved skin quality and aesthetic appearance of dorsal hands after hyaluronic acid gel treatment in a Chinese population. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2020).

• BEHFAR A. & al. A comparative study of two topical treatments for photoaging of the hands. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2024).